As a rising first-year (meaning I enter UChicago this autumn), I’m thinking of studying abroad in Seoul during the autumn of second year (fall 2016). UChicago’s exchange program in Seoul is with Yonsei University, but would it be possible to do an exchange program with Seoul National University (SNU) instead? I’m asking particularly because my friend of a different school is also doing an exchange in Seoul but will probably be with SNU instead. I’d like to know if this is even remotely possible, or if I should just not bother asking. Thanks!
You should ask. What I think will happen is that UChicago will say no through their program, but nothing would stop you from applying through that different school which has the SNU affiliation, is there?
Coming in as a first year you probably don’t yet have a full understanding of the core. Many core requirements come in full year sequences. If you miss the first quarter, you can’t take the following quarters. The same is true of some of the prerequisite courses for upper level courses. You need the full sequence. There is a reason UChicago assigns each student an academic advisor whose only job is to be an advisor. It can be complex at first. Obviously plenty of students successfully study abroad, but I would make an appointment with your academic advisor to figure out how to best to fit it in and whether sophomore year is the best time to go. It seems to me that first years and second years have many full sequences they need to take. Once you get more into electives, 3rd and 4th year, you have more flexibility.
But call the school and ask all these questions. They will be happy to help a new student.